Apparatus for the casting of metal anodes

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and process for casting of metal, such as copper anodes. The apparatus includes an oven for melting the metal and a rotatable casting wheel which carries a series of molds. A tiltable ladle pours the molten metal into a mold, and sensing means inside the mold produces a signal in response to the level of the molten metal in the mold for ending the pouring operation from the ladle. When the pouring operation for a particular mold has terminated, the casting wheel is automatically rotated to bring the next mold into proper position for receiving the molten metal.

I United States Patent [151 3,659,644 De Bie 1 May 2, 1972 1541APPARATUS FOR THE CASTING F 3,200,451 8/1965 Worswick I64/l56 METALANODES 3.3l9,728 /l967 Johansson et al... .....1s4/1ss 3,380,51 l 4/1968Campbell 1 ..l64/l55 [72] Inventor: Edouard De Bie, Antwerp, Belgium2,763,904 9/1956 Sukava I64 56 [73] Assignee: Metallurgle Hoboken,Brusaels, Belgium 3 5/1959 sukava 1 64/156 3,188,704 6/l965 Sukava 1l64/l 56 ml Ml! 1969 3.404325 10/1968 Kapun 164/56 [211 App]. No.:821,866

Primary Examiner-J. Spencer Overholser Assistant Examiner-V. RisingAlilluciluofl Attorney-Irving M. Weiner May I5, 1968 Belgium ..584l2[57] ABSTRACT [52] U.S. Cl ..164/326, l64/269, 164/156, An apparatus andprocess for casting of metal such as copper IM/IZS' 164/348 164/136anodes. The apparatus includes an oven for melting the metal [5 Int. anda rotatable i g wheel carries a series of molds. [58] new of 3 Atiltable ladle pours the molten metal into a mold, and I6 I l sensingmeans inside the mold produces a signal in response to the level of themolten metal in the mold for ending the pour- [56] cued ing operationfrom the ladle. When the pouring operation for UNITED STATES PATENTS aparticular mold has terminated, the casting wheel is automaticallyrotated to bring the next mold into proper position I X for receivingthe molten metal 1,960,002 5/1934 Eppensteiner et al.. .....l64/2692,882,567 4/l959 Deakins et al.164/l 5 Claim, 9 Drawing Flgures PatentedMay 2, 1972 3,659,644

8 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTUR Edam/ed 05 512-:

ATTORNEY Patented May 2, 1972 8 Sheets-Sheet C TNVENTOR y EObt/Afld DE515 ATTORNE! Pltontnd May 2, 1972 B Shun-Shut 7 ATTORNEY Patented May 2,1972 3,659,644

8 Sheets-Sheet l.

INVEHTUR ATTOPH:

Patented May 2, 1972 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 hmUNW mwmorz B Edounrea PE 515 y w2, M

ATTORNEY Patented May 2, 1972 8 Sheets-Shut. 7

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Z w m U aw Patented May 2, 1972 B Shun-Shut 8 l N V E H T O R Edam/al s5/5 ATTORHE! APPARATUS FOR THE CASTING OF METAL ANODES This inventionrelates to the casting of metals and more particularly to the casting ofcopper anodes. A detailed description is given hereinafter of theprocess and apparatus according to the present invention when applied tothe casting of copper anodes.

In the ordinairy practice, copper from a melting oven of thereverberatory type for instance, is cast into molds made of copper andarranged along the periphery of a circular casting machine (castingwheel). The liquid copper coming from the melting oven is firstcollected in a tilting ladle arranged between the oven and the castingwheel.

The copper contained in the tilting ladle is cast into molds by handactuating a hydraulic or pneumatic system which operates the tilting ofthe ladle.

All the above operations have so far been effected by hand. An operatorin a cabin situated in the proximity of the casting wheel actuates thestoppages and startings of the casting wheel according to the durationrequired for casting the metal and according to the duration requiredfor withdrawing the anodes from the molds. The operator has also toestimate the level of the copper in the mold de visu so that the anodesshall have a thickness as constant as possible. Great variations of thethickness are obtained with the known method and moreover, theoperations in the known installations require a large member ofworkmen.

The object of the present invention is to provide means to obtain animportant saving of hand labor, a greater regularity of the operationand a greater regularity of the weight and thickness of the anodes.

According to the present invention, the end of the casting operation ofthe metal and the starting of the movement of the casting wheel areautomatically actuated by a device acting under the effect of apredetermined level of the liquid metal in the mold.

The casting is automatically interrupted when the anode in the mold hasreached the required thickness.

According to another characteristic feature of the invention, themovement of the casting wheel is started after the anodes have beenwithdrawn from the molds.

Use is advantageously made for removing the anodes from the mold, of adevice which consists of pincers which seize the anode lifted from itsmold, by its edges, and of a rod discharge rod") passing through themold which deposits it in a cooling tank in which a device is operatedto align the anodes one next to the other. The movements of the pincersand of the discharge rod passing through the mold are automaticallyactuated according to a predetermined sequence.

The device for aligning the anodes may consist of two chains. Groovesare provided upon these chains to receive the well known lugs of theanode. The chains work intermittently by steps, each step displacing theanodes inside a cooling tank and presenting a free slot of the chains toreceive the next anode.

An automatic discharge device is advantageously provided, in which themovements of lowering the pincers, the lifting of the discharge rod, theclosing of the pincers on the anode, the lifting of the pincers holdingthe anode, the driving of a translation movement of the pincers holdingthe anode, the deposition of the anode in the cooling tank, the returnof the pincers without the anode to their initial position, and thedisplacement of the chains are automatic and take place according to thesequence above mentioned.

The head of the discharge rod is advantageously coated with a coatingsubstance known per se," and means are provided for automaticallyeffecting the said coating at the desired moment in the sequence ofoperational steps and for striking the said head to place it back in itsinitial position.

Means are provided for automatically spraying the molds at apredetermined moment in the sequence of operational steps with a mixtureknown per se.

Other objects and characteristic features of the invention when appliedto the casting of copper anodes will appear from the description whichfollows of one mode of carrying the invention into efiect, and asillustrated in the accompanying dia grammatic drawings.

In the drawings,

FIG. I is a plan view of the apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a more detailed plan view of the said apparatus.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show various steps of the operation of withdrawing theanodes from their molds.

FIGS. 50, 5b, 6, 7 and 8 show various modes of carrying the inventioninto effect.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, the positions of the variousimproved parts of a casting wheel I have been shown therein. The castingwheel is provided with l6 molds 2 for instance, equidistantly arrangedalong its periphery.

Various elements of the device for removing the anodes from their moldshave been shown in a position A: a cooling tank 21 for the anodes, atrack I7 for a carriage 16 which supports pincers used for withdrawingthe anodes from the molds (not illustrated in FIG. 1), the position of adischarge rod 12, a cylinder 6 actuating upward and downward movementsof the said pincers.

(The details of the elements are shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5a and 5b).

A device for controlling the position of the head of the discharge rod12 (the details of which are shown in FIG. 6) is shown in a position B.

A device for coating the head of the discharge rod 12 and spray-guns 62for spraying the molds (the details of which are shown in FIG. 7) areshown in a position C.

A casting station (the details of which are shown in FIG. 8) comprisinga casting tilting ladle 41 hydraulically actuated, which receives theliquid metal from a melting oven H through a channel G, is shown in aposition C. A sensing device 53 and a pneumatic cylinder 48 actuatingthe sensing device are also shown; they serve to stop the castingoperation (straightening the ladle 41 in an upward position) when themetal has reached a predetermined level in the mold 2.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the relation between the various devicesalready described with reference to FIG. I.

The casting wheel 1 is driven by a direct current motor M through theintermediary of a speed reducing gear N and of a pinion P engaging atoothed crown Q.

To each mold 2 corresponds a cam 3, which rotates with the casting wheelI and which is intended to meet contacts E7, E17, E8, Ell, in the orderstated, in the direction of rotation ofthe casting wheel shown by thearrow F.

Each cam 3 meets the four contacts above mentioned, each 16th of arevolution. It will be noted that the sequence of operations alreadymentioned for the FIG. I, takes place at each 16th of a revolution. Theconnections or electrical drives between the contacts E and the variousapparatus (motor, electro-pneumatic valves) are shown by dotted lineswith arrow heads and the pneumatic or hydraulic circuits are shown byfull lines with arrow heads.

When the casting wheel I rotates in the direction shown by the arrow F,the cam 3 of a mold meets first the contact E7 which acts, (as shown bya dotted arrow) upon the motor M with the object of producing adeceleration of the casting wheel 1 by a progressive regulation of thedynamo of the motor group by means of a transistorized circuit.

When the cam 3 continues its movement, it meets the contact E17 whichacts upon the solenoid K] of the electrohydraulic valve K operatingthrough the intermediary of the piston 44 of the cylinder 43 aprogressive tilting movement frontwards of the casting ladle 41, andconsequently the casting of the metal into the mold 2.

As soon as the cam 3 arrives at the meeting point with the contact E8,the casting wheel 1 stops its rotation.

The meeting of the cam 3 with the contact E8 actuates, by acting uponthe solenoid L1 of the electro-pneumatic valve L, the downward stroke ofthe piston 48 and of a solitary sensing device 53 as shown in FIG. 2 andin FIG. 8.

The meeting of the cam 3 with the contact E8, acts upon theelectro-pneumatic valve R and starts the withdrawal of the anode inposition A from the mold, effecting the lowering of the dischargepincers, the principal cylinder of which is shown at 6 in FIG. 2 (butthe details of which are shown more clearly in FIGS. 3, 4 and a and 5b).

The meeting of the cam 3 with the contact E8 starts the coatingoperation of the mold which is in the position C and of the head of thedischarge rod 12 (which has not been shown in FIG. 2 but the details ofwhich are shown in FIG. 7).

As soon as the metal liquid comes into contact with the sensing device53 in the mold in casting position D, an electric current is establishedwhich acts upon the solenoid K2 of the electro-hydraulic valve K whichactuates the straightening to an upright position of the casting ladle41 through the intermediary of the piston 44 of the cylinder 43.

Simultaneously, the electric current acts upon the solenoid L2 of theelectro-pneumatic valve L which effects a rapid upward stroke of thepiston 48 and of the sensing device 53, and acts upon the motor M forrestarting the casting wheel 1.

The cam 3 continues its movement and meets the contact E11 which actsupon the electro-pneurnatic valve S to start the spraying of the moldwhich passes from position B to position C, by means of spray guns 62receiving a suspension of crushed quartz of flour fineness from a tank63.

The various steps of the discharge operation in the position A, areshown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and are described hereinafter:

The meeting of the cam 3 and of the contact E8 serving to stop thecasting wheel 1 starts the withdrawal of the anodes from the molds. Thecontact E8 acts upon the solenoid R1 of the electro-pneumatic valve Rwhich actuates a downward stroke of the piston 5 of the cylinder 6, therod 4 of which carries at its end a cylinder 7 containing a piston 9 andits rod 8 which drives the movement of the pincers 10. Simultaneously,the contact E8 acts through the intermediary of a stop device E4clutched by a carriage 16 in a position above the mold 2 of the anodewhich is to be withdrawn, and upon a solenoid T1 of an electro-pneumaticvalve T which actuates the upwards stroke of the rod 13 of the piston 14of the cylinder 15, the rod 13 lifting the discharge rod 12; the rod 12lifts the anode ll situated in the mold in an inclined position, asshown in FIG. 3.

When the rod l3 of the piston 14 arrives at its upper dead point, itengages a stop device E which brings the motor M to a standstill.

During the downward stroke of the piston 5, a cam fixed upon a rod 29and integral with the rod 4 of the piston 5 engages a contact E6 whichacts as second locking means for the motor M.

When the piston 5 arrives at the lower dead point, a cam of the rod 29meets the contact E3 which acts upon the solenoid U1 of theelectro-pneumatic valve U which actuates the downward stroke of thepiston 9 of the cylinder 7, the rod 8 of which closes the pincers 10upon the side edges of the anode 11 in the inclined position inside themold 2.

Simultaneously, the contact E3 acts upon the slow acting relay 30 whichacts with a delay upon the solenoid R2 of the electro pneumatic valve R,the latter actuating the upward stroke of the piston 5 of the cylinder6.

During the upward stroke of the piston 5, a cam of the rod 29 actuatesthe contact E6 in an opposite direction and partially frees the motor M.

The meeting during the upward stroke of the piston S of a cam of the rod29 with the contact E2 acts upon the solenoid T2 of the valve T, whichproduces the downward stroke of the piston 14 and of the rod 13, and thereturn of the discharge rod 12 into the cavity of its mold.

The downward stroke of the rod 13 drives the contact E10 in an oppositedirection, thus freeing the motor M.

It follows that the machine 1 cannot rotate as long as the discharge rod12 is in the raised position and/or as long as the pincers 10 are in thelower position.

The length of time during which the casting wheel is stopped may bechanged so as to adapt it to the discharge cycle, to the step of castingliquid copper into anodes, and the change of the said length of time ofthe stoppage period may be effected by modifying the position of thecontact E6.

At the end of the upward stroke of the piston 5, a cam of the rod 29acts upon the arresting device E1 which acts upon the solenoid VI of theelectro-pneumatic valve V which drives the piston 19 of the cylinder 20.The piston 19 pushes the carriage 16 along its track 17; the carriage 16upon which the pincers l0 and the cylinders with compressed air 6 and 7are mounted advances then towards the cooling tank 21.

When the carriage l6 arrives above the cooling tank 21 at the end of thetrack 17, it acts upon an arresting device E5 which acts upon thesolenoid R1 of the electro-pneumatic valve R; the latter effects thedownward stroke of the piston 5 above the tank 2], and this allows alsothe working of the contacts arranged along the rod 29 to take placeunder different conditions.

The downward stroke of the piston 5 is interrupted by the action of thecontact E2 which opens the circuit of the solenoid R1 and R2 of thevalve R in order to close the valve R, thus stopping the inlet ofcompressed air to the cylinder 6. Simultaneously, the contact E2 actsupon the solenoid U2 of the valve U which effects the upward stroke ofthe piston 9 of the cylinder 7 and the opening of the pincers 10.

The anode 11 is thus deposited into the cooling tank 21 filled withwater, the suspension lugs 22 of the anode 11 entering the first groove23 of two conveying chains 24 and the lower edge of the anode 1] bearingagainst a notch 25 of the tank 21.

The contact E2 acts simultaneously upon the slow action relay 30 whichacts with a delayed action upon the solenoid R2 of the valve R whicheffects the upward stroke of the piston 5 of the cylinder 6.

At the end of the upward stroke of the piston 5, a cam of the rod 29acts upon the arresting or stopping device El which acts upon thesolenoid V2 of the valve V, and the latter starts through theintermediary of the piston 19 a movement in an opposite direction of thecarriage 16. The latter brings the pincers 10 in an open position abovethe molds 2.

Simultaneously, the arresting device E 1 acts upon the valve W whichactuates the piston 26 of the cylinder 27, the piston 26 actuating aratchet wheel 28 which displaces the chains 24 through a groove 23.

The lower edge of the anode 11 leaves the notch 25 of the tank 21 andthe anode tilts in a vertical position in the tank 2 l.

The anodes are thus placed one next to the other inside the tank 21whence they are taken together by a crane or the like (not shown) and arocking lever known "per se" (not illustrated).

Referring to FIGS. 50 and 5b The pincers for withdrawing the anodes 11consist of four linked arms 10 ending by corrugated grippers 31 whichseize the anodes 11 by their side edges.

The movements of opening and closing of the arms 10 which are linkedupon hinges 69 are effected by means of two crossbars 32 linked to eachpair of arms 10 by means of studs 68 passing with play through slots 33bored in the arms 10.

Under the action of the rod 8 of the piston 9 moving in the cylinder 7,each crossbar 32 which is connected with the rod 8, closes or opens thegrippers 31 by displacing the studs 68 in the slots 33.

Referring now to FIG. 6

While the withdrawal cycle is carried into effect on the mold shown inposition A in FIG. 1, the mold in the position B, which may be the moldwhich follows immediately after the mold subjected to a withdrawaloperation or may be another mold which follows, is subjected to theoperation for the control of the position of the rod 12.

it may happen indeed that the rod 12 does not fall into. the correctposition in its cavity, and that consequently it goes beyond the bottomof the mold.

It may also happen that the rod fails to act, which happens for instancewhen the head of the discharge rod has broken, or remains stuck in theanode when the latter is withdrawn by the pincers 10.

It may also happen that the head of the discharge rod is worn out andthat it penetrates too far in its cavity in the mold 2.

A system such as shown in H6. 6 and which is described hereinafter,allows of controlling the position of the rod 12 after the anode hasbeen withdrawn from the mold.

A metal box 34 provided with two sensing devices 35 and 36 is hung tothe rod 37 of the piston 38 of a pneumatic cylinder 39 fed by aelectro-pneumatic valve Y.

Under the action of a contact E2 shown in FIG. 3, which contact is thesame as that used for actuating the closing of the pincers upon theanode 11 in an inclined position during the withdrawal of the anode fromits mold and acting upon the electro-pneumatic valve Y, the piston 38lowers the metal box 34 and the sensing devices into the cavity 40 ofthe mold 2 at the point where the head 54 of the rod 12 is situated. Themetal box 34 comes into contact with the cavity 40 and strikes upon thehead of the rod 12 in order to place it if necessary in its initialposition. The sensing device 35 which is situated exactly above the head54 of the rod 12 and the other sensing device 36 which is situated uponthe bottom 40 of the mold move away simultaneously inside the box 34,without operating the contacts E12 and E13 adapted to each of thesensing devices 35 and 36 and connected with a hooter (not illustrated).lf now the rod 12 fails to act or if it is not perfectly placed inposition, in spite of the striking to which it had been subjected, (thatis if the sensing devices are not situated at the same level inside themold), the hooter works through the intermediary of the arrestingdevices E12 or E13 adapted to each sensing device, and ofsprings 55.

The upward stroke of the piston 38 is actuated through the intermediaryof the valve Y, and of the contact E2 which also starts the downwardstroke of the rod 12 (as shown in FIG. 3) in the withdrawal cycle.

Referring now to FIG. 7:

While the withdrawal cycle of the mold has taken place in the position Aand the operation of control of the position of the rod 12 of the moldhas taken place in the position B, the mold in the position C (whichmold is situated, after the molds subjected to the previous operations)is subjected to an operation for coating the head 54 of the rod 12 witha suspension known per se" consisting of a refractory mixture .in water.Also, the mold leaving the position B for the position C isautomatically subjected during its travel between the two positions to aspraying by means of solutions known per se, for instance a mixture ofcrushed quartz having the fineness of flour, by means of spray-guns 62,such as those sold under the commercial name Murphy.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the meeting of the cam 3 with thecontact E8, which also actuates the stoppage of the casting wheel 1 andthe starting of the withdrawal cycle, actuates an electro-pneumaticvalve X which actuates an alternating movement of a pneumatic piston 56moving in a cylinder 57.

The rod of the piston is provided at its end with a cap 58 which isimmersed in a tank 59 containing a known suspension of a refractorymixture in water.

The alternating motion of the cap 58 integral with the piston 57 opensduring a small interval of time an orifice 60 situated in the bottom ofthe tank 59, and allowing, during a small interval of time, the liquidsuspension to flow upon the head 54 of the rod 12.

In the example shown in FIG. 7 the spraying of the molds 2 with themixture coming from the spray-guns 62 is started by the meeting of thecam 3 fixed to the casting wheel, with the contact E11 (see FIG. 2),which contact actuates an electropneumatic valve 5 sending compressedair to the spray guns 62, thus producing a suction of the mixture 64contained in the tank 63, and projects it upon the bottom 40 of the mold2.

The spraying which is effected during the working of the machine, isinterrupted by a slow acting relay, not shown, acting upon theelectro-pneumatic S in order to stop it after a predetermined intervalof time such that the mold shall be completely sprayed.

With reference now to FIG. 8

While the cycle is applied to a mold in the position A, and theoperation of control of the position of the discharge rod on the mold inthe position B takes place, and the operations of spraying and ofcoating the head of the discharge rod 12 of the mold in the position Care carried out, the mold which is in the position D in front of theoven is subjected to the operation of filling the mold.

The operation of filling the mold is effected by an automatic tiltingfrontwards of a casting ladle 41 fed by a channel G in connection withthe oven H FIG. 1).

The movements of the casting ladle 41 are obtained by means of ahydraulic cylinder 43 fed by a pump 45 driven by a motor 46 through theintermediary of an electro hydraulic valve K which acts upon the piston44 of the cylinder 43. The hydraulic circuit is closed upon the tank 47.

When the cam 3 meets a contact E17 (E16. 2), the electrohydraulic valveK feeds the upper part of the cylinder 43 and acts upon the upper partof the piston 44 which actuates the progressive tilting movementfrontwards of the ladle 41 by means of a pulley 65 and of a cable 66.The said progressive movement is obtained by means of a known system,not shown, of diaphragms adapted to be regulated, which are inserted inthe hydraulic circuit of the cylinder 43.

It is to be noted that the tilting frontwards of the ladle 41 started bythe meeting of the contact E17 with the cam 3 fixed to the casting wheel1 takes place after braking (by the meeting of the contact E7 with thecam 3), but before the stoppage of the casting wheel 1, (effectedthrough the meeting of the contact E8 with the cam 3) as shown in F IG.2. The casting is thus commenced before the casting wheel is has come toa complete stop.

Whilst the filling operation of the mold has commenced, the meeting ofthe contact E8 (which acts to stop the casting wheel) with the cam 3actuates also the downward stroke of the piston 48 of the pneumaticcylinder 49 which is placed in a vertical position above the mold nearthe point where the filling of the casting ladle 41 takes place.

A rod 50 for the piston 48 connected, as shown in F IG. 8, by means ofan insulated small rod 51 with a rod 52 provided at its end with asensing device 53 made of graphite, is lowered fairly slowly to bearagainst the edge of the mold 2, so that the sensing device 53 shall notreceive a copper jet. The slow downward movement of the sensing device53 is obtained by means of a known system of diaphragms (notillustrated) which is inserted in the pneumatic circuit of the cylinder49.

Under these conditions, the sensing device 53 made of graphite issituated above the cavity of the mold at a distance from the bottom ofthe mold which corresponds to the thickness required for the anode to becast.

When the liquid copper comes into contact with the sensing device 53,the electric current thus closed actuates the solenoid L2 of theelectro-pneumatic valve L which operates the rapid withdrawal of thepiston 48 carrying with it the sensing device 53. The rapid withdrawalof the piston 48 is obtained by a known system, non illustrated, forinstance by a valve for the rapid withdrawal of compressed air containedin the upper part of the cylinder 49.

The electric current thus closed by the contact of the liquid metal withthe sensing device 53, acts also through the intermediary of theelectro-hydraulic valve K upon the casting ladle 41 which re-takes itsupward position very rapidly, thus stopping the casting operation. Therapid movement back into the upward position is obtained by means of aknown system (non illustrated) of diaphragms which are adapted to beregulated, placed in the hydraulic circuit of the cylinder 43, andpermitting to remove quickly any oil contained in the upper part of thecylinder 43.

The electric current thus established by the contact of the sensingdevice 53 with the liquid copper, actuates also the starting of thecasting wheel 1, through the intermediary of an electrical connection 67actuating the motor M of the casting wheel 1, provided the latter is notstopped by the arresting device E10 and E6 explained for the withdrawalcycle, thus permitting a new rotation of one-sixteenth of the revolutionof the casting wheel.

When the casting wheel has started its rotary movement, a metal brush(not illustrated) removes any burrs from the graphite rod.

What l claim is:

I. An apparatus for casting anodes comprising:

A rotatably mounted casting wheel; a plurality of molds spacedequidistantly around the periphery of said casting wheel; a motor toimpart movement to said casting wheel; first electrical detecting meansoperatively connected to said motor to decelerate said motor and thusdecelerate said rotatably mounted casting wheel when one of said moldsapproaches a first work station; a ladle for containing molten metalmounted to pour molten metal into one of said molds situated at saidfirst work station; at least one fluid activated first cylinder andpiston; linkage between said first piston and said ladle to translatemovement from said first cylinder to said ladle; means to control theflow of working fluid to said first cylinder; second electric detectingmeans operatively associated with said first cylinder flow control meansto signal said first cylinder flow control means that one of said moldsis approaching said first work station and to cause said ladle tocommence the pouring event while said mold is approaching said firstwork station; at least one adjustable electrically conductive sensingdevice positioned over said first work station mounted to allow itsmovement into and out of one of said molds located in said first workstation; at least one fluid activated second cylinder and pistonattached to said sensing device to impart motion thereto to move saidsensing device into and out of one of said molds located in said firstwork station; means to control the flow of working fluid to said secondcylinder; third electrical detecting means operatively associated withsaid motor and second cylinder flow control means to signal said motorthat one of said molds in said first work station and to stop saidmotor, thus stopping said rotatably mounted casting wheel locating oneof said molds at said first work station, and to signal said secondcylinder flow control means that a mold is in said first work station tocause said sensing device to move into said mold; and electricalcircuitry connecting said sensing device with said first and secondcylinder flow control means, and said motor to transmit an electricsignal from said sensing device upon contact of the molten metal in saidmold with said sensing device, thus completing an electric circuitsignalling the completion of a pouring event, causing the retraction ofsaid sensing device from said mold, return of the ladle to an uprightposition, and starting of said motor to impart a movement to saidcasting wheel to position another of said molds at said first workstation.

2. An apparatus for casting anodes according to claim 1, wherein adischarge rod is located through the bottom of each of said molds to aidin extracting said anode from each of molds by pushing said anodepartially out of said mold.

3. An apparatus for casting anodes according to claim 2, in cluding:

a housing mounted to allow its movement into and out of said mold islocated over said mold at a second work station, and is adapted tostrike said discharge rod to properly seat it in said mold; at least twospaced apart retractable sensing devices disposed in said housing suchthat a portion of each of said sensing devices extends downwardlytherefrom, one of said sensing devices is located over said dischargerod to contact a head of said rod and the other of said sensing devicesIS located a distance from said discharge rod to contact the bottom ofsaid mold to determine if said discharge rod is seated properly in saidmold; a hooter; two electrical contacts located in said housing, one ofsaid contacts being operatively associated with one of said sensingdevices and said hooter, and the other of said contacts beingoperatively associated with the other of said sensing devices and saidhooter to produce an audio signal if said discharge rod is not properlyseated; at least one fluid activiated third cylinder and piston attachedto said housing to impart motion thereto to move said housing and saidsensing devices into and out of said mold; and means to control the flowof working fluid to said third cylinder, said means activating saidthird cylinder upon a signal that one of said molds is in position undersaid housing at said second work station.

4. An apparatus for casting anodes according to claim 3, wherein spraymeans is located over said mold at a third work station to coat theprotruding end of said discharge rod with a refractory material.

5. An apparatus for casting anodes according to claim 4, wherein a spraymeans is located between said second and third work stations to coat amold cavity with a refractory material.

l l t

1. An apparatus for casting anodes comprising: A rotatably mountedcasting wheel; a plurality of molds spaced equidistantly around theperiphery of said casting wheel; a motor to impart movement to saidcasting wheel; first electrical detecting means operatively connected tosaid motor to decelerate said motor and thus decelerate said rotatablymounted casting wheel when one of said molds approaches a first workstation; a ladle for containing molten metal mounted to pour moltenmetal into one of said molds situated at said first work station; atleast one fluid activated first cylinder and piston; linkage betweensaid first piston and said ladle to translate movement from said firstcylinder to said ladle; means to control the flow of working fluid tosaid first cylinder; second electric detecting means operativelyassociated with said first cylinder flow control means to signal saidfirst cylinder flow control means that one of said molds is approachingsaid first work station and to cause said ladle to commence the pouringevent while said mold is approaching said first work station; at leastone adjustable electrically conductive sensing device positioned oversaid first work station mounted to allow its movement into and out ofone of said molds located in said first work station; at least one fluidactivated second cylinder and piston attached to said sensing device toimpart motion thereto to move said sensing device into and out of one ofsaid molds located in said first work station; means to control the flowof working fluid to said second cylinder; third electrical detectingmeans operatively associated with said motor and second cylinder flowcontrol means to signal said motor that one of said molds in said firstwork station and to stop said motor, thus stopping said rotatablymounted casting wheel locating one of said molds at said first workstation, and to signal said second cylinder flow control means that amold is in said first work station to cause said sensing device to moveinto said mold; and electrical circuitry connecting said sensing devicewith said first and second cylinder flow control means, and said motorto transmit an electric signal from said sensing device upon contact ofthe molten metal in said mold with said sensing device, thus completingan electric circuit signalling the completion of a pouring event,causing the retraction of said sensing device from said mold, return ofthe ladle to an upright position, and starting of said motor to impart amovement to said casting wheel to position another of said molds at saidfirst work station.
 2. An apparatus for casting anodes according toclaim 1, wherein a discharge rod is located through the bottom of eachof said molds to aid in extracting said anode from each of molds bypushing said anode partially out of said mold.
 3. An apparatus forcasting anodes according to claim 2, including: a housing mounted toallow its movement into and out of said mold is located over said moldat a second work station, and is adapted to strike said discharge rod toproperly seat it in said mold; at least two spaced apart retractablesensing devices disposed in said housing such that a portion of each ofsaid sensing devices extends downwardly therefrom, one of said sensingdevices is located over said discharge rod to contact a head of said rodand the other of said sensing devices is located a distance from saiddischarge rod to contact the bottom of said mold to determine if saiddischarge rod is seated properly in said mold; a hooter; two electricalcontacts located in said housing, one of said contacts being operativelyassociated with one of said sensing devices and said hooter, and theother of said contacts being operatively associated with the other ofsaid sensing devices and said hooter to produce an audio signal if saiddischarge rod is not properly seated; at least one fluid activiatedthird cylinder and piston attached to said housing to impart motionthereto to move said housing and said sensing devices into and out ofsaid mold; and means to control the flow of working fluid to said thirdcylinder, said means activating said third cylinder upon a signal thatone of said molds is in position under said housing at said second workstation.
 4. An apparatus for casting anodes according to claim 3,wherein spray means is located over said mold at a third work station tocoat the protruding end of said discharge rod with a refractorymaterial.
 5. An apparatus for casting anodes according to claim 4,wherein a spray means is located between said second and third workstations to coat a mold cavity with a refractory material.